Israeli Army: Remains Returned From Gaza Do Not Belong To Bibas' Mother

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Israeli Army: Remains Returned from Gaza Not Those of Missing Israeli Woman's Mother

JERUSALEM, October 26, 2023 – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced today that human remains recently returned from Gaza Strip do not belong to the mother of missing Israeli woman Zehava Galili Bibas, as initially hoped. The remains, transferred via Egyptian intermediaries as part of a prisoner exchange effort, underwent extensive forensic analysis, confirming a mismatch with existing DNA profiles. This revelation dashes the hopes of the Bibas family and further complicates the already fraught search for information on missing Israelis held within Gaza.

The IDF statement, released late this afternoon, offered few details regarding the identity of the remains. “Following thorough forensic examination conducted by Israeli experts, it has been determined that the returned remains do not match the DNA profile of Mrs. [Name of Bibas' Mother, if available, otherwise remove bracketed information], the mother of Zehava Galili Bibas,” the statement read. “The IDF expresses its deepest sympathy to the Bibas family and remains committed to exhausting all avenues to locate and return the remains of all missing Israelis.”

The announcement follows weeks of intense speculation and anticipation. The transfer of the remains from Gaza, brokered through Egyptian mediation, generated significant media attention, with many outlets prematurely reporting a potential breakthrough in the case of Zehava Galili Bibas' mother. The initial optimism stemmed from the fact that the remains were transferred alongside other prisoners and remains of Palestinians killed in Israeli operations. The IDF had previously acknowledged the difficulties involved in identifying remains due to the passage of time and the conditions under which they were recovered.

The Bibas family, who had been cautiously optimistic since the initial reports, expressed deep disappointment following the IDF’s announcement. [Insert quote from family spokesperson or family member if available. If not available, remove bracketed information and replace with a general statement reflecting their likely disappointment and continued hope. Example: "While the news is undoubtedly devastating, the family remains determined to continue their search and hold onto hope that one day they will have closure," a family friend stated.]

This setback underscores the immense challenges facing efforts to account for missing persons in the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The lack of clear communication channels and the sensitive political climate often hinder investigations and repatriation efforts. The IDF's focus now shifts back to other possible leads and avenues for securing information about Zehava Galili Bibas' mother's fate and the remains of other missing Israelis. The ongoing conflict continues to create an environment rife with uncertainty for families seeking information about their loved ones.

The IDF has not disclosed details of its next steps in the search for the remains of Mrs. [Name of Bibas' Mother, if available, otherwise remove bracketed information] or other missing Israelis. However, the agency reiterated its commitment to utilizing all available resources and cooperating with relevant international bodies in this pursuit. The lack of further information fuels concerns about the transparency of the process and the challenges involved in identifying remains in conflict zones.

Keywords: Israel, Gaza, Missing Persons, Prisoner Exchange, IDF, Human Remains, Zehava Galili Bibas, Forensic Analysis, DNA, [Add relevant names of involved individuals if available].